Improvement in newspaper-files



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ATTORNEYS.

UNITED STATES PATENT @rrron.

ALEXANDER L. WHITEHALL, OF IVATSEKA, ILLINOIS.

IMPROVEMENT IN NEWSPAPER-FILES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 148,908, dated March 24, 1874; application filed February 14, 1874.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALEXANDER L. WHITE- HALL, of VVatseka, in the county of Iroquois and State of Illinois, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Newspaper-File, of which the following is a specification:

Figure 1 is a top view of my improved paper-file. Fig. 2 is a rear view of the same. Fig. 3 is a detail view of one of the blades detached, and part of its sheath being broken away.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

My invention has for its object to furnish an improved device for filing newspapers, letters, magazines, &c., which shall be simple in construction and convenient in use, holding its contents securely, and in such a way that they may be temporarily bound with tape without being disarranged. The invention consists in a certain combination, with the bars between which the papers are clamped, of piercing-blades, locking-keys, and binding cords or tapes, as hereinafter described.

A and B are two bars, of wood or other suitable material, and which should be of the same length and breadth, but may be of different thickness, the rear bar A being made the thicker. The bars A B are held together, clamping the papers between them, by rubber bands 0, attached to the ends of the rear bar A, and passing over the ends of the forward bar B, or by straps and buckles, or other convenient means. Through the bars A B, at a suitable distance from each end, are formed mortises to receive the blades D, the points or forward ends of which are made lancetshaped to enable them to pass readily through the papers. The blades D are secured in the rear bar A by set-screws or pins E, which pass in through the said rear bar A, and through holes in said blades D. The rear ends of the blades D project, and have holes formed through them to receive the tapes F, by which the papers are secured together when detached from the file. The rear ends of the blades D should be made thinner than their bodies, so

that the tapes F may be readily drawn through the papers. G are rubber blocks, attached to the rear side of the bar A to keep the projecting ends of the blades D from marring the wall against which the file may be hung. The forward parts of the blades D are provided with sheaths H, made of wood or other suitable material, to cover and protect the points of the said blades. I is the suspension-cord, the ends of which are attached to the ends of the rear bar A by eye-screws J, or other convenient means.

In using the file the cord I is passed over a hook or nail attached to the wall, the caps or sheaths H are removed from the blades D, the rubber bands 0 are slipped from the ends of the bar B, and the said bar B is removed from the blades D. The bar B is then laid in proper position upon the back-margin of the last page of the paper to be filed, and the paper and bar are pressed against the points of the blades D in such a position that the said blades may pass through the mortises of the bar B. The bar B and paper are then pressed back against the bar A, the rubber bands 0 are sprung back upon the ends of the bar B, and the caps or sheaths H are replaced upon the blades D. When the file is'full, the pins E are removed, and the blades and tapes are drawn through the bars A B. The bar B is then detached in the manner hereinbefore described, the papers are removed, and the tapes F are tied behind the papers, forming a volume ready to be laid away, or sent to the binder.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Pat ent The combination of the detachable blades D, provided with eyes, binding-cords F, and keys or screws E, with the mortised bars A B, provided with the bands or straps 0, substantially as herein shown and described.

ALEXANDER L. WHITEHALL.

Witnesses:

ELMORE BRIMBALL, RoBT. HAYES. 

